SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 - Page 18

BASKETBALL

Late homer lifts Braves over Pirates

Hornets become Pelicans

The New Orleans’ NBA team officially adopted their new moniker on Thursday, becoming known as the Pelicans. “We have been looking forward to this day since we announced the Pelicans as the new name,” owner Tom Benson said. “The Pelican is a symbol for our city and region and we’re excited to start a new era in Louisiana basketball history. This offseason is going to be a special time for the Pelicans.” The name change from the Hornets to the Pelicans was originally announced three months ago but did not become official until the end of the current season in which they missed the playoffs.

CRICKET

McCullum to sue ex-player

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said yesterday he plans to sue former Test player John Parker for defamation over allegations surrounding his appointment as skipper late last year. McCullum, 31, took over from Ross Taylor in controversial circumstances in December, prompting criticism of both the new captain and national coach Mike Hesson from sections of the New Zealand cricketing community. A nine-page report leaked to media this month made accusations about how McCullum came to win the top job. In a statement issued through his lawyers, McCullum said he believed Parker, 62, wrote the document and he will file proceedings in court next week seeking a retraction of the claims. “Mr Parker’s paper makes some very serious attacks on my integrity, my honesty and my ethics as a professional sportsman,” he said. “I have endeavored to resolve these issues with Mr Parker but have been unable to do so. He has left me with no choice but to defend myself and my reputation this way.”

GOLF

Aguilar makes good start

Chilean Felipe Aguilar, bidding to win his second European Tour title after a five-year wait, moved into a three-way tie for the lead after the Spanish Open first round in Valencia on Thursday. The 38-year-old returned six birdies and two bogeys in a four-under 68 to set the pace along with Challenge Tour graduates Morten Madsen of Denmark and Frenchman Gary Stal. Former Ryder Cup stalwart Miguel Angel Jimenez, competing for the first time since breaking his leg in a skiing accident in December, plunged to a four-over 76 while fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia had to be content with a 72.

SOCCER

Neymar stars in comic

Striker Neymar is now a Brazilian comic book character, joining other local soccer stars who have become a reading option to children across the country. The 21-year-old player announced the Neymar Jr. comic book on Thursday in a partnership with leading Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa. Neymar will be portrayed as a child with his own soccer-playing friends and his well-known Mohawk hair style.

SWIMMING

Burst pipes turn water green

Olympic champions Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh have had to wait two days for organizers to fix broken pool pipes that turned the water a murky green at the South African championships. Multiple Olympic medalist Roland Schoeman wrote on Twitter that a doctor had told him that the dirty water caused his ear infections. The nationals began on Monday in dark green water at the Newton Park pool in Pretoria after a problem with a filter pipe. They were postponed on Tuesday because of poor visibility and again on Wednesday after another pipe burst.